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Neo, Jaclyn L --- "Regulation of religious communities in a multicultural polity" [2018] ELECD 794; in Ahdar, Rex (ed), "Research Handbook on Law and Religion" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) 178

Book Title: Research Handbook on Law and Religion

Editor(s): Ahdar, Rex

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781788112468

Section: Chapter 9

Section Title: Regulation of religious communities in a multicultural polity

Author(s): Neo, Jaclyn L

Number of pages: 20

Abstract/Description:

This chapter examines state regulation of religious communities within multicultural societies. It employs as the primary organizing factor whether religion is regarded as a private or public subject of regulation. Where religious communities are private actors, they are treated like associations and their members interact with the state primarily as individuals. Where religious communities are treated as public actors, the communal aspect of those communities tends to be emphasized, often over the individual interests within the community. Consequently, the primary regulatory approach towards private religion tends to be one of self-regulation, in addition to general statutory regulation. In comparison, where religious communities are treated as public actors, the state relies on a broader range of regulatory approaches – namely religion-specific statutory regulation and co-regulation – in addition to self-regulation. This chapter examines the modes and dimensions of regulation, the dominant approaches to regulating religious communities, and ideological postures influencing the regulatory reach of the state.